Projector Location:

The projector can either be set on a shelf or similar structure, or can be inverted and hung from a suitable ceiling mount.

It is best to locate a projector in a room where you can control the lighting. In a dark, light-controlled room, you will achieve the best black level, contrast and color.

However, many people want a multi-purpose room, and the new generation of JVC projectors—when matched with the proper screen—can produce a very watchable picture, even in a room with ambient light.

When choosing a location, it is important to consider the projector’s “throw distance”. This is the distance between the front of the projector lens and the screen surface. All JVC Procision projectors have a “throw ratio” of 1.4 to 2.8. The throw ratio is used to calculate the range of throw distances that can be used with a given screen. For example, with a 100” wide screen and a throw ratio of 1.4 to 2.8, the projector could be mounted as close to the screen as 140” (100*1.4=140) or as far away from the screen as 280” (100*2.8=280).

There are a couple of basic guidelines to remember:

• Throw distance is based on the actual screen width, not the diagonal screen size;
• Using the shortest throw will always provide the highest brightness. This can be particularly desirable with larger screen sizes, or for people that are interested in viewing movies in 3D;
• Using a longer throw will always improve the contrast ratio, meaning you will see the greatest variation between white and black in the same scene.

Screen Installation:

Most screens have a fixed metal frame and are designed for permanent installation on a wall. Also available are retractable screens that can be lowered from the ceiling or even raised from the floor. It is important to make sure that the screen is not only square with the projector, but that the screen surface itself is not bowed in any way and is level from top to bottom (not hanging at an angle).

Screen Size/Viewing Distance:

There is a relationship between the ideal screen size and the planned viewing distance. The idea is to properly fill your field of view for the most engaging viewing experience. Many experts agree that to calculate the ideal screen size, take the viewing distance in inches, and divide it by 3. This will give you the screen height. For example, a 14-foot (168 inches) viewing distance means your ideal screen would have a height of 56" (168/3=56). Assuming you want a 16:9 aspect ratio, this means your screen should be 99.5" wide (56/9*16=99.5). If you wanted a 21:9 (2.35:1 to 2.40:1) aspect ratio, then your screen should be approximately 131.6" wide (using the calculation 56*2.35=131.6).

Screen /Aspect Ratio:

There are two common screen aspect ratios:

• 16 x 9 (1.78:1): This is the perfect shape to match most HDTV broadcasts and many movies. The picture will properly fill the screen without any black bars either on the sides or on the top and bottom. This is the most common projection screen aspect ratio (Example A).
• 21 x 9 (2.35:1 or 2.40:1): This is a wider screen format commonly referred to as a Cinemascope screen and is the proper shape for a majority of Hollywood movie content. On a normal 16 x 9 screen this content is displayed with black bars above and below the picture (Example B).

There are two ways to minimize/eliminate the black bars on Cinemascope content:

1. Lens Memory Function: The DLA-X35/DLA-X55R/DLA-X75R and DLA-X95R all feature a lens memory function. In order to use this, you need to purchase a Cinemascope screen.
   • 16 x 9 Content: The user can set the zoom to allow regular 16 x 9 content to be shown at the full height of the screen, and save that to a memory along with appropriate settings for focus and lens shift. With 16 x 9 content there will be black bars on the left and right sides of the screen (Example C).
   • For Cinemascope Content: The user can also adjust the zoom so that Cinemascope content properly fills the full height and width of the screen, and then save that setting in a separate memory, along with appropriate settings for focus and lens shift (Example D).
   • A total of 5 Lens Memories are provided to support the widest range of formats. For example, a different lens memory might be used for Cinemascope content with subtitles (Example E).

1. Anamorphic Scaling: The DLA-X35/DLA-X55R/DLA-X75R and DLA-X95R all feature Anamorphic Scaling (Vertical Stretch) which can be used with any 2D or 3D content. In order to use this, you need to purchase a Cinemascope Screen and an Anamorphic Lens.
   • Anamorphic Scaling is used with Cinemascope format video. The video is stretched to eliminate the black bars at the top and bottom of the screen. This makes objects in the video appear taller and skinnier than they should. By utilizing all of the pixels in the D-ILA imaging chips, maximum brightness and detail are preserved.
   • An anamorphic lens is then moved in front of the projector's lens (often via a motorized sled). This anamorphic lens expands the video to the full width of the screen, restoring the correct proportions.
   • If you wish to watch regular 16 x 9 video, the anamorphic scaling is simply turned off, and the anamorphic lens is moved away from the projector's lens. This permits the 16 x 9 content to be viewed properly, at the same height as the Cinemascope content, but with black bars on the left and right sides of the screen.

Screen Material/Ambient Light:

There are a wide variety of screen materials as well. They differ both in the color of the material and the "gain" of the screen.

• White screens are best suited for rooms that can be darkened completely. Many screen manufacturers also offer materials in varying shades of grey or black with unique optical properties that are intended for a viewing area where there will be some ambient light. These materials have become very popular as they make it possible to enjoy a projector in environments with some ambient light.
• Screen materials reflect light back to the viewer in a variety of ways. They either spread the light out very uniformly, or they can focus the light in a more limited area. This is referred to as the screen gain. A screen with a gain of 0.8 spreads the light out very uniformly. A screen with a gain of 3.0 focuses the light in a much more limited area, increasing perceived brightness. A 1.0 gain screen is the reference standard (called "unity gain"), meaning the light reflected off the screen has no change in perceived brightness.

As a result, a 1.0 gain screen is a better choice when you want a good picture with very uniform brightness for a larger number of people viewing the picture from a wide range of viewing angles in a room with very good ambient light control.

By comparison, a screen with a 3.0 gain will create an image that appears brighter when viewed from the center of the screen, but brightness will fall off progressively as the viewer moves away from the screen center. This type of screen is better suited to use in rooms with some ambient light.

JVC D-ILA Procision projectors have screen adjustment modes that enable users to select the optimum mode to match those screen characteristics for more natural and balanced color reproduction. Users may select from up to 105 modes to match their specific screen characteristics. A current list of projection screens and their specific modes is available on from this link: Screen Model Chart.

Mount & Align:

The projector should always be mounted in such a way that it is perfectly square with the screen in all dimensions. The three adjustments that accomplish this are Pitch, Roll & Yaw.

Adjusting the lens:

When you first turn on the projector, you will need to adjust focus, zoom and lens shift. Each control has its own test pattern. Make sure that the basic test patterns are square and do not show any geometric distortion (such as trapezoid or tilt). If the test patterns are not square, then you need to spend additional time aligning the projector with the screen.

• Focus: The easiest way to set focus is to get close to the screen and adjust focus using the remote control. When the remote is aimed at the screen the signal reflects back to the projector, allowing you to control the projector from almost any distance. The focus should be adjusted until you can clearly see the individual pixels that make up the test pattern on the screen. Check that the pixels are clearly visible on the left, center and right of the screen as well as the top and bottom. This will confirm that the projector is correctly aligned. If the pixels are blurred in any area, that is an indication that the projector is not correctly aligned with the screen.
  Please Note: With a 4K Precision model DLA-X55R, DLA-X75R or DLA-X95R, the pixels are very small, and you will have to be very close to the screen in order to see any pixels.
• Zoom: The zoom control allows you to match the size of the projected image to the size of your screen. The test pattern in the zoom mode contains an outer border and an inner border. The zoom should be adjusted so that the outer border is just off of the screen surface and is visible on the frame of the screen. If it is not possible to do this on any part of the screen, or if any of the lines in the test pattern are not square with the screen, then that is an indication that the projector is not correctly aligned with the screen.
• Lens Shift: The lens shift control is used to move the image so that it is correctly centered on the screen. All JVC Procision projectors have 80% vertical and 34% horizontal lens shift. It is possible to use both horizontal and vertical lens shift at the same time, but the amount of horizontal shift you use will affect the amount of vertical shift that is available and vice versa. As an example, if you use the full 80% vertical lens shift, there will not be any horizontal lens shift available.

Generally it is necessary to cycle from focus to zoom to lens shift a few times, in order to get the lens correctly adjusted.

There is an electronic keystone function on JVC projectors which can be used to align the picture to the screen, but if you follow the above instructions for zoom and lens shift, it should not be necessary to use it. Using the keystone feature will substantially decrease the image quality. JVC does not recommend its use for home theater applications.

Making the right connections:

Picture:

Generally, the HDMI connections are used. For viewing 3D Blu-ray content, it is important to insure that all cables and all related devices (such as an A/V receiver) are HDMI v1.4a compliant. Component video can also be used for 2D content, if needed. The D-Sub/15-Pin connection is an analog connection for a computer.

Control:

All models offer 12V trigger, which is used to control a motorized screen or a motorized anamorphic lens. RS232 is offered on all models for system control, and LAN connection is included with the DLA-X35/DLA-X55R/DLA-X75R and DLA-X95R as an additional system control option. The 3D Synchro connection on all models is used for connecting the PK-EM1 3D I/R emitter to synch the active shutter glasses to the projector when viewing 3D content.

Basic picture adjustment:

You can get great results with the JVC picture presets. The "Natural" preset is a good choice for 2D on all models. The "3D" preset is a good choice for 3D on all models. On the DLA-X75R and DLAX-95R you can also use the "THX" preset which will automatically change adjustments based on whether it senses a 2D signal or a 3D signal.

If you wish to make additional picture adjustments, there are a wide range of controls that let you do so.

First make sure your HDMI connection is set correctly for your source device(s).

Next, you will need a test disc. The AVSHD test disc is a great test disc that can be downloaded for free at:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=948496

• Look for the AVCHD.exe version, which can be burned to an AVCHD format DVD-R.
• This link also has a link to the "Imgburn" program, which can be used to burn the disc image to a DVD-R.
• You will also want to download the accompanying .pdf instruction manual.
• You will also need a set of THX Blue Filter glasses. These are very inexpensive and can be purchased at www.thx.com